WARNER, HENRY F. - Medal of Honor Recipient

Place and date: &nbsp Near Dom Butgenbach,
Belgium, 20-21 December 1944.

Entered service at: &nbsp Troy, N.C.

Birth: &nbsp 23 August
1923, Troy, N.C.

G.O. No.: 48, 23 June 1945.

Citation: &nbsp Serving as 57-mm.
antitank gunner with the 2d Battalion, he was a major factor in stopping
enemy tanks during heavy attacks against the battalion position near Dom
Butgenbach, Belgium, on 20-21 December 1944. In the first attack, launched
in the early morning of the 20th, enemy tanks succeeded in penetrating
parts of the line. Cpl. Warner, disregarding the concentrated cannon and
machinegun fire from 2 tanks bearing down on him, and ignoring the imminent
danger of being overrun by the infantry moving under tank cover, destroyed
the first tank and scored a direct and deadly hit upon the second. A third
tank approached to within 5 yards of his position while he was attempting
to clear a jammed breach lock. Jumping from his gun pit, he engaged in
a pistol duel with the tank commander standing in the turret, killing him
and forcing the tank to withdraw. Following a day and night during which
our forces were subjected to constant shelling, mortar barrages, and numerous
unsuccessful infantry attacks, the enemy struck in great force on the early
morning of the 21st. Seeing a Mark IV tank looming out of the mist and
heading toward his position, Cpl. Warner scored a direct hit. Disregarding
his injuries, he endeavored to finish the loading and again fire at the
tank whose motor was now aflame, when a second machinegun burst killed
him. Cpl. Warner's gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above
and beyond the call of duty contributed materially to the successful defense
against the enemy attacks.

This data was extracted from the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, U.S. Senate, Medal of Honor Recipients: 1863-1973 (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1973)